Third Factors in Language Variation and Change (Hardcover)

Elly Van Gelderen

ISBN 10: 1108831168 / ISBN 13: 9781108831161

Published by Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2021

About this Item

Hardcover. In this pioneering study, a world-renowned generative syntactician explores the impact of phenomena known as 'third factors' on syntactic change. Generative syntax has in recent times incorporated third factors factors not specific to the language faculty into its framework, including minimal search, labelling, determinacy and economy. Van Gelderen's study applies these principles to language change, arguing that change is a cyclical process, and that third factor principles must combine with linguistic information to fully account for the cyclical development of 'optimal' language structures. Third Factor Principles also account for language variation around that-trace phenomena, CP-deletion, and the presence of expletives and Verb-second. By linking insights from recent theoretical advances in generative syntax to phenomena from language variation and change, this book provides a unique perspective, making it essential reading for academic researchers and students in syntactic theory and historical linguistics. This pioneering book makes an important contribution to linguistics by explaining syntactic variation and change within the most recent version of minimalist syntax. It focusses on the mechanisms necessary for syntactic computation, and suggests that these are general cognitive principles rather than principles specific to the language faculty. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9781108831161

Bibliographic Details

Title: Third Factors in Language Variation and ...

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

Publication Date: 2021

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis:

In this pioneering study, a world-renowned generative syntactician explores the impact of phenomena known as 'third factors' on syntactic change. Generative syntax has in recent times incorporated third factors – factors not specific to the language faculty – into its framework, including minimal search, labelling, determinacy and economy. Van Gelderen's study applies these principles to language change, arguing that change is a cyclical process, and that third factor principles must combine with linguistic information to fully account for the cyclical development of 'optimal' language structures. Third Factor Principles also account for language variation around that-trace phenomena, CP-deletion, and the presence of expletives and Verb-second. By linking insights from recent theoretical advances in generative syntax to phenomena from language variation and change, this book provides a unique perspective, making it essential reading for academic researchers and students in syntactic theory and historical linguistics.

About the Author:

Elly van Gelderen is a syntactician interested in language change. Her work shows how regular syntactic change provides insight in the Faculty of Language. Elly is the author of eleven books and eighty or so articles/chapters, the editor of two book series and has herself edited or co-edited eleven books/special issues.